Jeff Melanson

Executive in the Creative Artsin Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian business executive Jeff Melanson has worked for more than 15 years in the fine arts community and public sector in some of Canada’s most noteworthy cities. Jeff is committed to using his vast creative entrepreneurship expertise to help build stronger, more vibrant communities across the country and around the world.

Jeff served as the President and CEO of Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), a world renowned Canadian institution founded in 1922. Currently the resident orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall in downtown Toronto, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra has traveled around the world and serves as Canadian cultural ambassadors, promoting music, inclusivity and human creative potential.

Before taking the helm at the TSO, Jeff Melanson served as President of The Banff Centre, located in the picturesque Rocky Mountains of Alberta. Despite its small population, Banff is a world renowned tourist destination and hosts many renowned artists, leaders, summits and festivals every year.

At The Banff Centre, Jeff oversaw the world’s largest creativity incubator, which serves a local and international pool of 4,000 artists, 2,000 mathematicians, 2,000 business leaders and over 20,000 conference participants.

Jeff’s professional career in the Canadian fine arts community started shortly after he graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1999. Prior to that, Jeff completed his Bachelors of Music Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1997.

After completing his education, Jeff Melanson held an Assistant Dean and Dean position at The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Community School in downtown Toronto. During his six years at the Royal Conservatory of Music, he was responsible for strategic planning, corporate fundraising, business development, co-ordination of academic programming, curriculum development, financial planning, and faculty reviews.

In late 2006, Jeff went on to serve as Executive Director of The National Ballet School, also headquartered in Toronto.

In 2017, Jeff Melanson launched the consulting practice, Creative Change Management Consulting, a firm that focuses on delivering management and consulting expertise to the creative and business sectors.